[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 64 (Monday, May 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       AMERICAN LEGACY FOUNDATION

 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to an 
organization that has done so much good in our country. I am happy to 
be able to congratulate the American Legacy Foundation on its 5-year 
anniversary. Five years ago, the American Legacy Foundation was born 
out of the Master Settlement Agreement, MSA. As we are all aware, the 
States' lawsuits against the major cigarette companies explicitly 
required Sates to spend certain amounts of their settlement payments on 
tobacco-prevention efforts and to advance public health.
  I would like to personally commend those organizations, such as the 
American Legacy Foundation, who have worked tirelessly for 5 years to 
reduce smoking in our Nation. Smoking is now at its lowest level in 
nearly three decades. This did not happen by chance. It happened 
because States and communities all across this great Nation, led by the 
American Legacy Foundation, challenged and continue to challenge the 
tobacco industry.
  Whether it is an award-winning youth counter marketing campaign, or 
``Great Start,'' an innovative cessation program for pregnant women, 
there is no denying the fact that programs such as these have 
successfully convinced teens, pregnant women and older adults that they 
can quit smoking.
  In closing my remarks, I encourage my colleagues to remain committed 
to the spirit of the Master Settlement Agreement, so that we can 
eliminate tobacco addiction altogether. By squelching America's smoking 
habit, it is my hope that we can achieve the vision of a smoke-free 
society.

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